Niko Courtelis: Philatelic Atrocities

Stamps Ate My Brain

Stamps are tiny pieces of eye candy with great stories. Mine is a cautionary tale of a casual pursuit that's become a passionate obsession. The discussion will range from childhood stamp collecting and graphic excellence, to correspondence and mail art, and the absurdity of collecting turn of the century perforating machines. I'll be sharing some very unusual, artful and rare stamps. There's a lot more to these little things than you might think!

Niko is a creative director, designer, filmmaker and partner of Portland-based PLAZM. He collects postage stamps, typewriters and vintage perforating machines, and uses them to make artistamps, mail and correspondence art. His book Philatelic Atrocities was recently published by Kat Ran Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts. He is an adjunct professor at PNCA. Niko has a daughter and a three-legged turtle.